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OITP, LITA seek submissions for cutting-edge technology practices

The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) and the Library & Information Technology Association (LITA) are soliciting submissions for the best library practices using cutting-edge technology. Nominations must be submitted by November 6, 2012, and winners will be announced at the upcoming January 2013 ALA Midwinter Meeting.

“We want to showcase libraries that are serving their communities with novel and innovative methods and provide the library community with some successful models for delivering quality library service in new ways,” said Patty Saidenberg, chair of the Cutting-edge Technology in Library Services selection committee.

Last year, four libraries were cited for their work: Contra Costa County Library in Pleasant Hill, Calif., New Canaan High School Library in New Canaan, Conn., New York Public Library in New York, and Scottsdale Public Library in Scottsdale, Ariz.

A joint committee of members from the Subcommittee on America’s Libraries for the 21st Century and LITA will review all nominations and may conduct selected interviews or site visits to identify those libraries that are truly offering a best practice or most innovative service. Libraries or library service areas selected will be publicized via the OITP and LITA websites, highlighted through ALA publications, and featured in a program at the 2013 ALA Annual Conference.

“Cutting-edge” refers to tested and successful implementations of technological advancements used in services such as:

Improvements in traditional services and processes by inventing/re-inventing/twisting technology

Introduction of new, innovative services that are flexible and responsive to community needs

Methods for connecting libraries to their communities

Funding initiatives or organizational models that ensure library information technology will remain current

Interested parties must submit nominations by November 6, 2012 (Election Day!), and winners will be announced at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 25-29, 2013. Additional details, including submission information, for the nomination process can be found on the OITP website.